Commedia Dell Arte often consists of multiple comedic sketches that come together to form the play. These sketches are known as scenario. Scenarios are used by the actors to perform rehearsed improvisation.
"The Fortunate Isabella" is a real senario from 1611, created by Flaminio Scala
“The Fortunate Isabella”
A scenario by Flaminio Scala and the Gelosi troupe, published in A.D. 1611 and translated into English by Talia Felix in A.D. 2004
THEME:
Once upon a time in Genoa, a fellow named Cinthio, who was well born and well off despite being left without a father or mother, lived with a single sister who was endowed with great beauty and virtuous manners. It happened that the brother (who had no desire other than to create a good match for her) became friends with a certain Captain, who desired nothing more than the chance to marry the aforesaid sister;
The brother discussed this carefully with his sister, who revealed a mind in tune with the wishes of the Captain. Thus, a spoken agreement was made that they would marry. Immediately after this the Captain said that he had to go to Naples for some very important business, although he promised that he would return shortly to marry Isabella, as was the name of the young lady.
But, after staying in Naples for the length of three years, and no longer remembering the promise he made, the brother was prompted to begin making a new and more agreeable match for his sister. She, learning of his intent, let loose saying that no other husband was wanted; but the urgings of her brother came in a continuous wave, which finally made her decide to leave her hometown, disguised as a servant, and go along with her own servant to Rome, where she hoped to find the Captain, who was now trying to find himself a new fiancée. And in such manner, to Rome she went, only for the purpose of reaming the Captain over his lack of fidelity; when he was found, she spoke her mind to him and then, after various misadventures, found herself married to another person, much to the satisfaction of her brother.
CHARACTERS OF THE COMEDY:
ISABELLA, in habit of a servant
BURATTINO, her servant
CAPTAIN SPAVENTO
ARLECCHINO, his servant
CINTHIO, brother of Isabella
PANTALONE, a Venetian
FLAMINIA, his daughter
GRAZIANO, a Doctor
ORAZIO and FLAVIO, his sons
PEDROLINO, an innkeeper
FRANCESCHINA, his wife
Other Modern day examples of senarios include:
———————————————————————-———————
Characters
Pantalone
Zanni
Pantalone repeatedly calls for Zanni who calls back a new reason each time for not coming on stage. Pantalone becomes angrier and angrier. Zanni appears behind Pantalone without him noticing and mimics his anger.
Characters
Il Dottore
Il Capitano
Il Capitano boasts of his matchless courage. A mouse appears and he becomes petrified with fear. Il Capitano explains that the only thing in the world he is frightened of is mice. Il Dottore offers his patient a cure for 'sourisophobia'. Il Capitano is cured, but then runs off when he hears a dog howling. Monologue from Il Dottore on 'lycanthrophobia'.
Characters
Flavio
Arlecchino
Arlecchino pretends to be Petunia, the object of his master's affections, so that Flavio can practice all the arts of courtship.
Works Cited
“Commedia Dell'Arte.” Italian Renaissance Theatre, italian-renaissance-theatre.weebly.com/commedia-dellarte.html.
Klingvall, Micke. Commedia.klingvall.com, 19 Mar. 1998, commedia.klingvall.com/.
Rudlin, John, and Olly Crick. Commedia dellarte: a handbook for troupes. Routledge, 2001.
Scala, Flaminio. “La Fortunata Isabella - La Commedia dell'Arte.” Translated by Talia Felix, La Commedia dell' arte, 2004, sites.google.com/site/italiancommedia/plays-and-scenari/scenari/la-fortunata-isabella.
Commedia Dell Arte often consists of multiple comedic sketches that come together to form the play. These sketches are known as scenario. Scenarios are used by the actors to perform rehearsed improvisation.
"The Fortunate Isabella" is a real senario from 1611, created by Flaminio Scala
“The Fortunate Isabella”
A scenario by Flaminio Scala and the Gelosi troupe, published in A.D. 1611 and translated into English by Talia Felix in A.D. 2004
THEME:
Once upon a time in Genoa, a fellow named Cinthio, who was well born and well off despite being left without a father or mother, lived with a single sister who was endowed with great beauty and virtuous manners. It happened that the brother (who had no desire other than to create a good match for her) became friends with a certain Captain, who desired nothing more than the chance to marry the aforesaid sister;
The brother discussed this carefully with his sister, who revealed a mind in tune with the wishes of the Captain. Thus, a spoken agreement was made that they would marry. Immediately after this the Captain said that he had to go to Naples for some very important business, although he promised that he would return shortly to marry Isabella, as was the name of the young lady.
But, after staying in Naples for the length of three years, and no longer remembering the promise he made, the brother was prompted to begin making a new and more agreeable match for his sister. She, learning of his intent, let loose saying that no other husband was wanted; but the urgings of her brother came in a continuous wave, which finally made her decide to leave her hometown, disguised as a servant, and go along with her own servant to Rome, where she hoped to find the Captain, who was now trying to find himself a new fiancée. And in such manner, to Rome she went, only for the purpose of reaming the Captain over his lack of fidelity; when he was found, she spoke her mind to him and then, after various misadventures, found herself married to another person, much to the satisfaction of her brother.
CHARACTERS OF THE COMEDY:
ISABELLA, in habit of a servant
BURATTINO, her servant
CAPTAIN SPAVENTO
ARLECCHINO, his servant
CINTHIO, brother of Isabella
PANTALONE, a Venetian
FLAMINIA, his daughter
GRAZIANO, a Doctor
ORAZIO and FLAVIO, his sons
PEDROLINO, an innkeeper
FRANCESCHINA, his wife
Other Modern day examples of senarios include:
———————————————————————-———————
Characters
Pantalone
Zanni
Pantalone repeatedly calls for Zanni who calls back a new reason each time for not coming on stage. Pantalone becomes angrier and angrier. Zanni appears behind Pantalone without him noticing and mimics his anger.
Characters
Il Dottore
Il Capitano
Il Capitano boasts of his matchless courage. A mouse appears and he becomes petrified with fear. Il Capitano explains that the only thing in the world he is frightened of is mice. Il Dottore offers his patient a cure for 'sourisophobia'. Il Capitano is cured, but then runs off when he hears a dog howling. Monologue from Il Dottore on 'lycanthrophobia'.
Characters
Flavio
Arlecchino
Arlecchino pretends to be Petunia, the object of his master's affections, so that Flavio can practice all the arts of courtship.
Works Cited
“Commedia Dell'Arte.” Italian Renaissance Theatre, italian-renaissance-theatre.weebly.com/commedia-dellarte.html.
Klingvall, Micke. Commedia.klingvall.com, 19 Mar. 1998, commedia.klingvall.com/.
Rudlin, John, and Olly Crick. Commedia dellarte: a handbook for troupes. Routledge, 2001.
Scala, Flaminio. “La Fortunata Isabella - La Commedia dell'Arte.” Translated by Talia Felix, La Commedia dell' arte, 2004, sites.google.com/site/italiancommedia/plays-and-scenari/scenari/la-fortunata-isabella.
Theatre Room Asia, 14 Jan. 2015, theatreroomasia.com/tag/commedia-dellarte/.